About
Everything from ballads to bangers…
Theocles is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter out of Richmond, VA. Taking the stage with nothing but a guitar, a loop pedal, and a mic, Theocles uses his soulful voice to carry the audience through a range of emotions, from tearful ballads to pop bangers.
He draws on inspiration from artists such as Ed Sheeran, Aretha Franklin, and Hozier in both his originals and his covers, putting on an energetic one-man-band show.
Whether it's an amphitheater, your local brewery, or a street corner, Theocles loves nothing more than sharing his music with the world!
Influences
Nothing but a guitar, loop pedal, and mic - it’s no surprise that Theocles’ style is often compared to Ed Sheeran’s… nor is it a coincidence. While the ginger-haired pop star is certainly his favorite musician, he is not the only influence.
Pop artists play a large role in Theocles’ musical style, whether it be the upbeat grooves of Charlie Puth or the soulful notes of Hozier and Sam Smith. The classics are not out of the picture either: he has Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, and The Beatles up his sleeve.
While they don’t frequently work their way into his repertoire, he also loves to listen to Panic at the Disco bangers, and has a soft spot for musicals thanks to his time performing in the theater (any Les Miserables fans out there?). Really, if it’s got a catchy melody and good lyrics, there’s nothing he won’t enjoy singing along to!
(My) Musical Background
Hello! Theocles here, with a few words about my path through life and music’s role in it.
As a Virginia native, I am proud to call Charlottesville home. I began studying the violin at a young age, quickly followed by some experimentation as a percussionist. It wasn’t until high school that I fully discovered singing as both a passion and a talent. Main stage theater productions and the school choir were my gateways into the world of vocal talent. Once I found my footing in a music community, there was no looking back!
After graduating from Charlottesville High School in 2015, I studied Economics and Music at the College of William & Mary. I joined both the college choir and, crucially, the all-gender a cappella group DoubleTake (Listen here on Spotify!). Spending 4 years completely immersed in a close-knit musical community gave me the chance to hone my skills as a singer and as a musician. Composing, arranging, and writing music—both for myself and for DoubleTake—became a focus of my time in college, and it was there that I first picked up a guitar. I was awarded a Monroe scholarship grant to fund my first original music recording, the result of which is my debut EP, Short Stories.
In May 2019, I graduated from William & Mary and started an internship at Econsult, an economics consulting firm in Philadelphia. During my summer in the city, I spent as much time outside of work as possible playing at gigs and open mics. After the internship ended, I moved to Rochester, Minnesota to accept a job at Mayo Clinic. My time in Rochester offered many opportunities to play at concerts, bars, festivals, and street corners, and strongly encouraged the idea that I could have a future as a performer. This incentivized a key turning point in my musical journey: the loop pedal, which has since become a unique and iconic part of my live shows.
While I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I had to study and work in research and academics, there is no doubt now that my true love lies in music. More than ever before, I am dedicated to bringing that love to any audience who will listen. In December 2020, I quit my job at Mayo and moved back to Charlottesville, where I currently work as a full-time musician and a teaching artist at Front Porch. I cannot wait to continue to share my music with both the city and the world!
Fun Facts
I have an unhealthy obsession with fluffy animals—especially my kitties Nemea and Vega.
I have been a soccer fanatic my whole life, playing competitively for my schools and for club teams. I’m a massive supporter of Chelsea FC.
I love to play Magic: the Gathering, along with just about any other card or board game.
I am a huge Lord of the Rings nerd--there was a time I could quote the movies front to back (extended edition, of course)!
I was raised a Quaker, and am a Conscientious Objector.
My favorite food is cheesecake, preferably raspberry-flavored.
I have been to 15 different countries--16, if you count briefly crossing into Canada during an excursion on Lac La Croix!
My favorite song of all-time is Don McClean’s “American Pie”.
My favorite album of all time is Ed Sheeran’s Multiply.
The first song I ever wrote is “Elevator”!
I am a staunch supporter of social justice, the BLM movement, Medicare for All, abortion rights, environmental protection, abolishing student debt, and raising taxes on the rich to diminish wealth inequality - in case Suburbia doesn’t make all that abundantly clear.